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Looking for that idyllic sea or tree change? With lush mountains, pristine beaches and all the facilities you need, the Shoalhaven ticks all the right boxes.
On the back of the ‘work from home’ movement, regional towns are booming. Already welcoming sea and tree changers for years, the beautiful Shoalhaven region is expanding with affordable property investment opportunities, diverse businesses and soaring infrastructure to accommodate predicted population growth.
However, that’s not to say you won’t experience that holiday vibe. Around 100 beaches, stunning bush walks, foodie trails and cultural festivals put lifestyle options firmly in the spotlight.
The Shoalhaven features 49 towns and villages encircled by beaches and mountains. The word ‘Nowra’ is an Aboriginal word for the black cockatoo and the name of the area’s commercial hub. Resting on the banks of the Shoalhaven River, Nowra is located just an hour south of Wollongong. The drive to Sydney is only two hours and huge government investment in transport infrastructure is underway. This will ensure commuting is even easier for a population that’s expecting a 29% increase by 2051.
Every day feels like the weekend when you’re surrounded by some of Australia’s most charming destinations. The historic, countryside town of Berry attracts tourists and locals alike, with boutique stores, chic cafes and art galleries framed by rolling hills. Combine bushwalking, kayaking and canoeing with the quaint atmosphere of Kangaroo Valley village between the Cambewarra and Barrengarry Mountains.
A coastal playground dotted with heritage walks, nature reserves and seafood restaurants, Ulladulla’s laid-back lifestyle is legendary. It’s just minutes from the villages of Milton and Mollymook, where golf courses, surf beaches and character-filled farmers’ markets compel city visitors to stay and soak up the sights on a more permanent basis.
Then, there’s the foodie scene. With a temperate climate and rich soil, the Shoalhaven produces some of the world’s top drops and you’ll taste them at scenic vineyards on the region’s wine trail. The South Coast Food Trail features cheese and cattle farms, famous oysters, wholefood stores and bakeries to die for.
Every day feels like the weekend when you’re surrounded by some of Australia’s most charming destinations.
Convenience isn’t compromised for lifestyle choices in the Shoalhaven. Along with its central location near Wollongong, Sydney and Canberra, rapidly growing infrastructure ensures a self-sufficient region. This consists of private and public hospitals (including the NSW government’s recent $440M investment into the new seven-storey Shoalhaven Hospital), schools and university campuses, industrial estates and the Shellharbour Regional Airport, which is just 45 minutes from Nowra.
The Nowra CBD is a shopping, dining and services hub decorated by the Nowra Murals Trail that highlights the region’s history. Surrounding the CBD, you’ll find the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, the Shoalhaven City Turf Club, Nowra Golf Club, the Fleet Air Arm Museum and Stockland Nowra Shopping Centre.
Along with enviable lifestyle options, the Shoalhaven presents an affordable property market in comparison to Sydney. An example is the suburb of Cambewarra, which is a 10-minute drive from the Nowra CBD with an average house price of $665,000. During the last three years, capital growth averaged 5.5% and the average rate of growth over the last ten years was 6.8%.
In terms of ticking all the right boxes, the Shoalhaven is a sea and tree change destination with all the conveniences of the city. It’s little wonder the region is surging in popularity as city dwellers pack up shop for better quality of life.
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